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Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury is being planned for May after positive negotiations

Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury is being planned for May after fresh talks, but Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO mandatory title shot is an ‘issue’, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua retained his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts with a ninth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev on Saturday, which kept him on course for an undisputed title fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury next year.

“I think we’re all in the same position. We want to move forward with the fight, quickly as well, which is good news for fans.

“Just trying to solve any remaining issues of the fight, of which there aren’t many, to be honest with you, and try and move forward collectively to let the governing bodies know that we plan to stage this fight probably in May, and we would like this to be for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world.

“A few small issues to iron out, but I think we can start look at drawing up contracts and try to get this moving.

“Here on both sides, every member of each team wants to do this fight. We all acknowledge this is the biggest fight in boxing, this is the best fight for both guys. This is for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Why are you in the sport, if you don’t want this fight?”

Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury is being planned for May after fresh talks, but Oleksandr Usyk’s WBO mandatory title shot is an ‘issue’, says promoter Eddie Hearn.

Joshua retained his WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight belts with a ninth-round knockout of Kubrat Pulev on Saturday, which kept him on course for an undisputed title fight against WBC champion Tyson Fury next year.

Hearn has already held “positive” negotiations with Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum as they attempt to finalise a two-fight deal, with the rematch to take place in November or December.

Fury is currently undergoing a mediation process with Deontay Wilder following a dispute about a third WBC title fight, while Joshua must fulfil a mandatory defence of his WBO belt against Usyk.

Hearn will appeal to the WBO to allow Joshua versus Fury first, while he is hopeful that the Wilder situation will be resolved.

“If you listen to Bob, that’s not a problem,” said Hearn. “He is a lawyer and he knows his contracts and he tells us that Tyson Fury is contractually free to take any fight he wants.

“I do believe Deontay Wilder is appealing that, in the US courts, but we don’t expect that to be a problem.

“Ultimately the big issue for Anthony Joshua is he has a WBO mandatory now. We will be writing to the WBO to say you have an opportunity to be part of the biggest fight in boxing. One of the biggest fights in boxing history.

“Oleksandr Usyk is the WBO mandatory, we have to respect that, and the rules as well. We’ll be speaking to him to make sure he’s happy with a potential resolution.

“But for any reason Tyson Fury can’t contractually fight Anthony Joshua, AJ will fight Oleksandr Usyk next.

“For us, Usyk is a great fighter, it’s a great fight, there is only one name that we’re focusing on and that is Tyson Fury.”

4:05

Joshua has reiterated his desire to fight Fury for the WBC belt

Will Usyk allow AJ vs Fury to happen?

WBO president Paco Valcarcel appeared to indicate that a mandatory defence would be enforced on Joshua, who would risk losing the belt if he did not fulfil a fight against Usyk.

He tweeted: “[Promoter] Eddie Hearn knows the meaning of commitment.

“The ball is in Hearn’s court.”

0:49

Usyk’s co-promoter Alexander Krassyuk, who works alongside Hearn, exclusively told Sky Sports: “My prediction, my plan and our strategy is to make AJ vs Usyk in April or May 2021.

“This is the WBO who has the power to enforce the champion for the mandatory.

“Though everyone wants to see AJ fighting Fury I don’t feel this fight is likely to happen soon.”

On Joshua’s knockout of Pulev, Krassyuk added: “I did not discuss AJ’s performance with Usyk yet but must admit AJ looked quite convincing.”

The WBO’s stance would seemingly leave Joshua with two choices – defend his title against Usyk next or vacate it to move straight into a fight with Fury.

  Anthony Joshua knocked out Kubrat Pulev to edge closer to a dream fight against Tyson Fury.

Wilder and Fury may still meet again

A further complication to the undisputed title fight is Fury’s situation regarding a third fight with Deontay Wilder.

Fury shelved the planned trilogy this month but has since been forced to enter a mediation process because Wilder is keen to agree terms to share the ring again.

The WBC told Sky Sports that they would give their “full support” to a third Fury vs Wilder fight in 2021.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “Wilder is a tremendous, important element. He was five years champion of the WBC. Extremely loyal.

“The greatest knockout ratio. The percentage is unbelievable and he is a very dear fighter, a champion in the WBC and he deserves, of course, another opportunity.

“He gave Tyson Fury the opportunity and Tyson Fury beat him, knocked him out, and, of course, Wilder is in the mix.

“He deserves an opportunity and we will see how things evolve in the coming year.

“We’re just hoping that everything gets resolved and everybody is happy and we see great fights inside the ring.”

Will Joshua fight Fury in 2021?

Joshua told Sky Sports after dispatching Pulev: “I started this game in 2013. I’ve been chasing all the belts. I’ve been dealing with mandatories.

“Of course I want the challenge. It’s not about the opponent, it’s about the legacy and the belt. Whoever has got the belt, I would love to compete with them. If that is Tyson Fury, let it be Tyson Fury. It’s no big deal.

“It’s one fight at a time, picking them off one by one. That’s all it’s about for me. I’ve got to stay focused.”

Joshua’s promoter Hearn added: “There’s been a lot of talk. As he said, it’s less talk, more action. Since he came into the office, he wanted to be the undisputed champion of the world.

“We’re going to be friendly, we’re going to be nice. We know what we have to do. Starting from [Sunday], we make the Tyson Fury fight straight away.

“It’s the only fight to be made in boxing. It’s the biggest fight in boxing. It’s the biggest fight in British boxing history.

“I know he [Joshua] wants it. He is the best heavyweight in the world, I promise you. He’ll break him down, he’ll knock him out, but for me, less talk, more action.